Packaging machine with sampler



Aug. 1, 1967 E. L. DODD 3,333,648

PACKAGING MCHINE WITH SAMPLER 'Filed Aug. 12, 1964 7 sheets-sheer 1 BYCuv 34 TTOR/YEY EQ e Aug. 1, 1967 E. L.V DODD PACKAGING MACHINE WITHSAMPLER 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 12, 1964 2 INVENTOR Edmund L. DoddBY @www Aug.1,1 967 l ELDODD l 9,;333548 PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLERFiled Aug. l2, 1964 7 Sheets-Shet I5 i INVENTOR Edmu/zdLDodd BY fwve(LAM ATTO/WYE),

Aug. 1, 1967 E. DODD PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER Filed' Aug. 12, 1954uo-T SIGNAL LAMP RESET D@ GROUP \8 SIGNAL LAMP NON SELECTIVE NST REJECT@@@Q PBI PBL PBS PE4 DB5 PE4,

SELECTVE INVENTOR EdmundLDodd MCMJLM Aug. 1, 1967 E. l?. DoDD 3,333,648

PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER Filed Aug. l2, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR Edmund L. Dodd Aug. l, 1967 E. L.. Donn PACKAGING MACHINE WITHSAMPLER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. l2, 1964 INVENTOR Edmund L. Dodd Arfc/PNE Y Aug- 111967 E. A. Donn 3,333,648

PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER 208 Faun usm F/g. /0

C52 Il INVENTOR Edmund L. Dodd ATTO/QNE Y United States Patent O3,333,648 PACKAGING MACHINE WITH SAMPLER Edmund L. Dodd, Quincy, Mass.,assignor to Pneumatic Scale Corporation, Limited, Quincy, Mass., acorporation of Massachusetts Filed Aug. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 389,126 19Claims.-(Cl.'177-55) This invention relates to a packaging machine andm-ore particularly to an automatic filling or weighing machine forforming and depositing predetermined loads into successive containers.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improvedpackaging machine of the character specified having a plurality of loadforming or weighing units arranged to deposit their loads intosuccessive containers associated therewith and in which provision ismade for diverting or separating preselected containers from a normaldischarge path to a second path for the purpose of checking the loadsformed by a particular filling or weighing unit for statistical productcontrol of the machine,

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedrotary lling or weighing machine having a plurality of continuouslymoving load forming or weighing units arranged to deposit their weighedloads into successive containers moved along therewith and in whichprovision is made for preselectively diverting or separating a containeror group of containers from la normal discharge path to a second pathfor the purpose of checking the loads formed by a particular single unitor group of filling or weighing units for statistical product control ofthe machine.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide anovel and improved lling or weighing machine of the character describedcharacterized by novel control means for selectively diverting from anormal discharge path to a second path a single container; successivesingle containers; or a group of containers associated with a particularload forming or weighing unit or units =for the purpose of checking andrecording the accuracy of the particular unit or units for statisticalpurposes.

With these general objects in view and such others as may hereinafterappear, the invention consists in the packaging machine and in thevarious structures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafterdescribed and particularly defined in the claims lat the end of thisspecication.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. l is a plan view of a rotary weighing machine embodyin g thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of left in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is .a plan view detail of the container discharge mechanismshowing the container diverting mechanism associated therewith;

FIG. 4 is a side elevati-o-n of the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 as seenfrom the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view detail of a distributor forming a part of thepresent control means;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the same showing the distributor in crosssection as seen from the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of timing mechanism to be referred to;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation tof the same shown partly in cross section asseen from the line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation of a push button panel for actuating theselective control means; and

FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram illustrating the selective controlmechanism.

the same as seen from the ice In general, the present inventioncontemplates a packaging machine, herein illustrated as a multiunitrotary automatic weighing machine having a plurality of continuouslymoving load forming and weighing units, wherein provision is made forfirst forming a plurality of measured bulk loads land delivering thesame to the load receiving members of successive weighing units and forthereafter delivering a drip stream to the continuously moving weighingunits to complete the weighed loads which are then deposited intocontainers moved along therewith.

In the operation of such automatic weighing machine it is the practiceto check weigh at random selected of the lled containers discharged fromthe machine at predetermined test intervals for the purpose ofproduction control to assure that the containers are consistentlyprovided with uniformly weighed loads within the limits of allowabletolerances from a predetermined weight. On the one hand, if too muchmaterial is deposited into successive containers it will result in asubstantial loss to the producer and, on the other hand, if too littleis deposited into successive containers the consumer receives less thanhe paid for. While modern high speed weighing machines are designed tobe initially adjusted to produce extremely accurate weights and haveprovision for rejecting underk and overweight containers, they veryrarely have to be readjusted once they are set for a particular weight.However, in practice it is desirable to keep a record of such weightsnot only as a safety precaution in the event of any malfunction of themachine but particularly for statistical weight control to conform withgovernment regulations as to uniform weights of packaged products.

In practice, in a multiunit high speed weighing machine of the typeillustrated wherein the weighing units are in continuous motion toproduce filled containers at the rate of about one hundred and sixty aminute, it has been diicult to determine which weighing unit producedthe load deposited in a particular container selected for checkweighing.

In accordance with the present invention provision is made for enablingthe operator to selectively withdrawl or separate from the containersbeing discharged those containers which received their load or loadsfrom a particular weighing uit or units so that the performance of theyindividual weighing units may be tested or checked. This is accomplishedautomatically by means under the control of the operator arranged todivert from a normal discharge path into a separate path thosecontainers which received their loads from -a particular weighing unit.Thus, in practice, the operator may actuate a control associated with aparticular weighing unit, such as weighing unit #l which will effectautomatic separation of the container associated therewith during onecycle, and also containers associated therewith during successivecycles, if desired. Likewise, the operator may actuate one or more ofthe controls associated with any of the remaining weighing units toelfect diversion into a separate path of the container or containersassociated with a particular weighing unit or units. The present controlmechanism is also arranged to divert successive containers in a group orset comprising one container from each weighing unit starting with #1during one cycle or rotation of the machine and to automaticallydiscontinue diversion of the containers when the last one of the grouph-as been diverted. Provision is also made for diverting successivecontainers indiscriminately for checking the overall performance of theweighing units. Thus, in'operation it will be seen that the weighingperfor-mance of a particular weighing unit or group of units may beselectively tested whereby the task of check weighing and statisticallyrecording the accuracy of production of the machine is greatlyfacilitated.

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is illustrated asembodied in a rotary multiunit automatic Weighing machine of the generaltype shown and described in the United States patent to Thomas P.Howa'r'd, No. 2,868,375, issued Jan. 31, 1959, wherein a plu' rlity ofmeasured loads are formed and delivered to a weighing unit associatedwith each measuring chamber, the final or drip load being thereafterdelivered directly into the weighing units to complete the weighed loadswhich are subsequently deposited into containers being moved along withthe weighing units.

In general, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a generallycircular non-rotating material feeding compartment is arranged toreceive material byy gravity from a supply hopper 12. The compartment 10is arranged to divert the material into successive rotary measuringchambers 14 wherein the bulk loads are formed and subsequently deliveredinto the receptacles 16 of Weighing units 18 associated therewith. Afterthe bulk loads are delivered the drip loads in the form of continuousstreams are delivered through the open measuring chambers 14 directlyinto the weighing receptacles. Subsequently, the weighed loads aredischarged through guide funnels 20 into successive containers 22, beingmoved along with their respective weighing units.

The measuring chambers 14 are telescopically adjustable, the upperportions thereof comprising a plurality of flanged tubes 24 supported inand depending from a rotary disk 26 which forms the bottom wall of thecompartment 10. The lower portion of each measuring chamber 14 maycomprise a corresponding tube 28 telescopically fitted about the uppertube 24 and supported in a rotary disk 30 secured to a continuouslyrotated central shaft 32, the telescoping connection imparting rotarymovement to the upper portions of the chambers 14 during the operationof the machine. The upper rotary disk 26 may be supported for verticaladjustment relative to the lower disk 30 to adjust the volume of thechambers. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, the rotary disk 26 isprovided With a plurality of rollers 27 arranged to engage a track 29carried by an annular supporting member 31. The annular member 31 issupported by upstanding rods 33 threadedly engaged in sprockets 35 whichare connected by a chain 37. Manual drive connections to the chainindicated generally at 39 are provided for rotating the rods 33 toeffect simultaneous adjustment of al1 of the chambers when required.Each measuring chamber 14 is provided with a bottom closing shutterindicated generally at 34, and in the operation of the machinesuccessive measuring chambers are filled at which time the shutters areclosed, the shutters being thereafter opened to deposit the loads intotheir respective weighing receptacles.

The illustrated weighing units indicated at 18 comprise cantileverspring Weighing beams cooperating with pneumatic pressure responsivecontrol units of the type disclosed in the Howard patent, above referredto, and which are capable of rapid and accurate weighing performanceduring the continuous movement of the weighing units. Each weighingreceptacle 16 is provided with a bottom closure gate indicated at 36,which is normally maintained in its closed position, provision beingmade for opening the gate 36 of successive receptacles at apredeterrnhed time in the cycle after the weight has been made to effectdischarge of the weighed loads through the funnels 2,0 and into thecontainer 22 associated therewith.

Asiherein illustrated, the weighing units 18 are supported by individualbrackets 38 which are attached to a rotary member 40. The rotary member40 is secured to a flanged hub 42 keyed to the central shaft 32. Thus inoperation the weighing units are moved through a circular path inalignment With their respective measuring chambers 14. The central shaft32 is arranged to be rotated through connections from a variable drivemotor 44 whose output shaft is coupled to a drive shaft 46 journaled ina gear Abox 48. The drive shaft is provided with a helical pinion 50 inmesh with a helical gear 52 fast on the central shaft 32.

The containers 22 are delivered to the machine in a line from a supplythereof by a conveyor 60. The containers are engaged by a helical feedscrew 62 arranged to space the containers to be received in spacedcutouts -or openings 64 in a rotary intake and transfer disk 66, thecutouts 64 being shaped to engage successive containers. The transferdisk 66 cooperates with a guide plate 67 and is arranged to transfersuccessive containers onto successive pockets 68 which support thecontainers 22 in alignment with their respective weighing units 18during their travel in a circular path. The filled containers arelikewise transferred from successive pockets 68 back onto the conveyor60 by a rotary discharge disk 70 having spaced openings 72 shaped toengage the containers being discharged. The rotary intake disk 66 ismounted fast on the upper end of a vertical shaft 74, and the rotarydischarge disk 70 is likewise fast on the upper end of a vertical shaft76. The shafts 74 and 76 are arranged to be rotated in timed relation tothe operation of the machine through a gear train 78 which includes agear 80 fast on the central shaft 32; an intermediate gear 82; andspaced gears 84, 86 in mesh with the intermediate gear and With gears88, 90, respectively, Which are fast on the vertical shafts 74, 76. Thecontainer supporting pockets 68 are supported by brackets 92 attached toa rotary disk 94 which is connected to rotate with the central shaft 32.

From the description thus far it will be seen that successive containers22 transferred onto successive pockets 68 of the machine are providedwith accurately weighed loads as they are carried around in a circularpath and that thereafter the filled containers are transferred back ontothe conveyor to be discharged from the machine. As illustrated in FIG.3, the filled containers 22 transferred from the pockets 68 onto thedischarge end of the conveyor 60 normally are free to be released fromthe openings 72 of the discharge disk to pass along the conveyor 60between guide rails 96, 98. However, when the operator actuates theselective control mechanism to be described, to effect separation ofVone or more selected containers from the discharge line, in accordancewith the present invention, provision is made for clamping the selectedcontainer in its discharge disk opening 72 to hold the same inengagement with the disk until the container passes off the edge of theconveyor 60 and is guided between rails 100, 102 into a separate pathwhere it is automatically released onto a second conveyor 104 to becheck weighed by the operator.

A clamping mechanism, indicated generally at 106 in FIGS. 3 and 4, isassociated with each opening 72 in the rotary discharge disk 70, andeach clamping mechanism includes a normally latched clamp 4arm 108pivotally mounted at 110 and which when unlatched is urged by a spring112 into clamping engagement with its container to clamp the same to thedisk. Each pivoted clamp arm 108 has a second arm 114 provided with anotched end 116 arranged to be engaged by the end of a spring urgedlatch arm 118 pivotally mounted `at 119. The clamp arm E 108 is arrangedto be unlatched to effect gripping or cla-mping of its container, asdescribed, by a solenoid operated movable cam piece 120 arranged to bemoved into the path of a roll 122 carried by the second arm 124 of thelatch 118. The cam piece 120 is carried by one arm 126 of a bell crankpivotally mounted at 128, the second arm being connected by a link tothe armature ofga solenoid 132. The solenoid is supported from theunderside ofthe platen 134 of the machine frame, and the cam piece 120is supported at the upper end of a vertical extension 136 which extendsthrough an opening in the platen as shown in FIG. 4.

The solenoid 132 forms part of a control circuit shown in the wiringdiagram, FIG. 10, wherein the circuit to the solenoid may be closed bypressing a selected control button, see also FIG. 9. Upon energizing thesolenoid 132 the movable cam piece 120 will be rocked from an outwardlydisposed position where the latch roll 122 will pass by without engagingthe cam piece to a position inwardly of the transfer disk where the roll122 will engage the cam piece to effect rocking of the latch and releaseof the clamp arm 108.

As herein shown, the notched arm,114 of the pivoted clamp arm 108 isalso provided with a roll 138 arranged to cooperate with a cam 140stationarily supported about the discharge disk shaft 76. The cam 140 isshaped to permit the clamp arm 108 to be gradually rocked after releaseof the latch to effect relatively gentle clamping of the container inits disk yopening to prevent jarring of the contents. Thereafter, whenthe clamped container 22 is diverted to a position on the secondconveyer 104 the cam 140 is shaped to effect outward rocking of the arm108 to release the container and to also reset the clamp arm in itslatched position as illustrated.

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, the present control mechanism includes adistributor indicated generally at 142 and enclosed in a casing 141. Thedistributor comprises a plurality of microswitches indicated generallyat 144, herein shown as eight in number, corresponding to the number ofweighing units 18. The microswitches are arranged to be closedsuccessively each cycle of operation by a rotary cam or contact closer146 fast on a vertical shaft 148. The shaft 148 is rotated by a chainand sprocket drive 150 from the central shaft 32 in timed relation tothe movement of the containers through a rotary path. It will beunderstood that each microswitch 144 is associated with a particularweighing unit 18, and the weighing units may be numbered to correspondto the numbers of the associated microswitches.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and l0, when the operator wishes to divert acontainer associated with the weighingl unit #l he may press two-waypush button PB1 having upper and lower contacts to close the lowercontacts at 152 in line 153 and hold the contacts closed until the Cam146 operates to close microswitch SSWI in line 153. The circuit willthen be continued through lines 154, 156, and the upper contacts 155 oftwo-way push button PB9 to energize a relay CR3. This will effectclosing of contacts CR3 in line 154 which will continue the circuit fromline 154 to lines 158 and 160 to energize solenoid 132.

As herein shown, line 160 is also provided with a rotary timing switch162 which makes eight revolutions for each revolution of the machinecorresponding to the number of containers discharged each cycle orrevolution. The timing switch 162 may be arranged to close the circuitin line 160 and energize solenoid 132 to release the latch arm 118 atthe proper time in the cycle of rotation of the transfer disk to effectclamping of the selected container.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rotary timing switch 162 is mountedon a vertical shaft 164 arranged to be driven from the Vertical intakedisk shaft 74 through connections including a chain and sprocket drive166 to a vertical shaft 168, and a gear and pinion drive 170, 172 fromthe shaft 168 to the shaft 164. The upper end of the shaft 164 is alsoconnected by a shaft 174 and universal joint connections 175 to helic-algears 176 for rotating the helical feed screw 62 eight revolutions percycle to correspond to the number of weighing units and to time the feedof the containers with the arrival of the weighing units 18 and thepockets 68 into container receiving position.

Referring again to FIG. l0, it will be seen that in practice theoperator may hold the contacts 152 closed for successive cycles of themachine to divert successive containers filled by weighing unit #l ontothe second conveyor 104 so that the accuracy of the performance ofweighing unit #l in forming successive loads may be checked andrecorded. It will be apparent that any one of the two-way push buttonsPBI to PBS, or any combination thereof may be simultaneously pressed todivert or separate from the vnormal discharge path to a different paththose selected containers associated with a particular weighing unit orunits. Thus, for example, if the performance of Weighing unit #5 is tobe tested, push button PBS is pressed and held to close the lowercontacts 176 in line 178, and when the cam 146 operates to close switchSSW5 to continue the circuit through lines 154, 156, and throughnormally closed upper contacts of push button PB9 in line 156 toenergize relay CR3. This will effect closing of contacts CR3 in line 154and energization of solenoid 132, as described, to effect diversion ofthe container which received its load from weighing unit #5. Also, forexample, two-way push buttons FB2 and PB4 may be simultaneously pressedand held so that when the cam 146 closes the circuits sequentiallythrough switches SSW2 and SSW4 the solenoid 132 will be energized torelease the associated latches 118 and permit clamping of the filledcontainers associated with the corresponding weighing units and t'othere-after release the containers into a separate path as described.

If it is `desired to test the overall performance of all of the Weighingunits in the machine during a cycle of operation, provision is made fordiverting a selected group of containers sequentially starting with thecontainer associated with weighing unit #l and ending with the containerassociated with weighing unit #8, at which time the diversion ofcontainers will be automatically discontinued. As shown in FIG. 10, thisis accomplished by pressing two-way push button PB9 to close the lowercontacts in line 182. This will also close a second set of lowercontacts 184 of push button PB9 in line 153. Push button PB9 is heldclosed until switch SSWl is closed by the cam 146, and at thi-s timerelay CR4 in line 153 will be energized to close normally open contactsCR4 in line 186. Holding contacts CR4 in line 188 will be simultaneouslyclosed. Line 188 is provided with a normally closed group signal switchSSW9 which will light the group signal lamp W when push button PB9 ispressed. After the switch SSWI has closed and the holding circuitenergized, the push button PB9 may be released and the circuit continuedthrough lines 188, 189, 190, 186, 158 and 160 to energize the solenoid132 through the timing mechanism 162. The solenoid 132 will now beenergized each time the timing switch 162 is closed, independently ofsuccessive switches SSW2 through SSW8, through the lines specified todivert successive containers until the container from the weighing unit#8 has been clamped to be diverted. At this time a second contact cam192, see FIG. 6, also fast on shaft 148 and disposed above the cam 146,engages the normally closed switch SSW9 disposed above switch SSWS toopen the circuit in line 188, thus deenergizing relay CR4 and causingthe normally open contacts CR4 in lines 186 and 188 to open todiscontinue diversion of succeeding containers. The group signal lamp Wwill also be extinguished at this time to indicate to the operator thatthe ygroup diversion during one cycle of the machine has been completed.

Provision is also made in the present control circuit for effectinginstantaneous diversion of successive containers indiscriminately, ifdesired, for testing one or more nonselected containers or groups ofcontainers. This may be accomplished by pressing one or the other ofpush buttons PB10 in lines 194 or 196 to close the circuit directlythrough lines 158 and 160 to solenoid 132 through timing switch 162.Thus, solenoid 132 will be energized each time the timing switch 162closes to divert successive containers indiscriminately as to whichcontainer is associated with a particular weighing unit.

As previously stated herein, weighing machines of the type illustratedby the automatic weighing machine shown in the Howard Patent No.2,868,375 are provided with means for detecting a fault in the weighingoperation and for rejecting the containers which received a load from aweighing unit in which the fault was detected. Thus, for

example, if the weighing scale of a weighing -unit should ripprematurely, this might indicate that the bulk load was overweight. Onthe other hand, if the scale of the weighing unit should not trip afterit has passed beyond a predetermined point in the weighing cycle, thismight indicate an underweight load. In either event the faulty orabnormal operation was detected and the filled container associated withsuch scale is rejected. This is accomplished through electrical controlmeans including a time delay mechanism illustrated and described in theHoward Patent No. 2,868,375 and which is arranged to close a switch atthe proper time when the faulty container arrived at a rejectingstation, at which time a solenoid operated clutch is engaged to operatethe rejecting mechanism.

The present weighing machine is provided with similar control means, notshown, but which is arranged to actuate a fault switch 200 included inthe circuit shown in FIG. 10. As illustrated, the fault switch comprisesa twoway switch and is normally in a position to close a circuit throughits lower contact 202 and line 204 to energize a relay CR2. Inoperation, in the event a faulty or abnormal operation is detected asdescribed, the switch 200 will be actuated to close the circuit throughthe upper contact 206 and line 160 to energize solenoid 132 through thetiming mechanism 162 to effect rejection of the faulty container ontothe separate conveyer 104.

Since a faulty or defective weight container produced by an abnormallyoperated weighing unit is arranged to be rejected onto the same conveyer104, as is used for receiving preselected containers of a predeterminedweight to be check weighed, provision is made for actuating a signalwhen such a fault occurs durin-g normal diversion as controlled by theoperator so that any faulty containers rejected during such time may beomitted from the testing procedure. The fault signal is herein shown ascomprising a lamp R in line 208 which is arranged to be lit whennormally closed contacts CRZ and CRS in line 210 are permitted to remainclosed to continue the circuit through lines 210, 212 and 208. However,these two contacts are arranged to be held open when no fault isindicated and when no push buttons are pressed to divert selectedcontainers. The contacts are held open by relays CR2 in line 204 and CRSin line 214, respectively. As above described, relay CR2 is heldenergized by switch 200 in engagement with its lower contact 202 tomaintain normally closed contacts CR2 in line 210 open. vRelay CRS isheld energized through the upper contacts of two-way push buttonswitches PB9 and PB1 through PBS which are connected in series to line214. Thus, normally closed contacts CR2 and CRS are maintained in theiropen condition through the normally energized relays `CRZ and CRS,respectively, to prevent illumination of fault light R.

In operation, in the event a fault occurs, switch 200 will be moved toopen the circuit to the relay CR2 in line 204, thus permitting contactsCRZ in line 210 to close. If during such time one or more of the pushbuttons is pressed to effect selective diversion, the series circuitwill be opened to deenergize relay CRS, thus permitting the contacts CRSto also close and light the fault lamp R. When the operator sees thefault lamp lit he will disregard the automatically rejected containersand any other diverted containers for testing purposes. When contactsCR2 and CRS are closed a holding relay CR6 in line 210 is also energizedto close contacts CR6 in line 208 to hold the lamp R lit after theoperator releases the lpush button, and the fault switch 200 returns toits normal position. After the diverted and rejected containers havebeen discarded, and after the fault in the weighing operation has beencorrected, a reset button PB11 may be pressed to open the circuit inline 208 to extinguish the fault signal lamp R.

In like manner, if a fault occurs when push button PB9 is pressed tocause group diversion, contacts CRZ and CRS will likewise be permittedto close to light the lamp and to energize relay CR6 as described.However, as previously described, push button PB9 is released after theswitch SSW1 is closed, and holding circuit relay is energized to closecontacts CR4 in lines 188 and 166 to permit successive containers to bediverted to form a group. It will be apparent that if a fault shouldoccur after push button PB9 is released, normally closed contact CRS inline 210 will remain open. In order to take care of this contingency anormally open contact CR4 is provided in a by-pass line 216 aroundcontacts CRS. Thus, contact CR4 in line 216 will be closed when relayCR4 is energized to effect sequential group diversion of the containersfrom weighing units #2 through #8. The relay CR6 and holding circuitcontact CR6 will also be closed to keep the fault light on until thereset button PB11 is pressed as described.

From the above description it will be seen that the present inventionprovides a novel and convenient control apparatus arranged to beactuated by the operator for diverting from the normal discharge pathinto a separate path selected lled container associated with particularweighing units for the purpose of testing the accuracy of theperformance of the particular weighing units for statistical productcontrol of the machine.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been hereinillustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention maybe embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a weighing machine, in combination, a plurality of continuouslymoving weighing units arranged to deposit their weighed loads intosuccessive containers moved along therewith, container discharge meansfor guiding successive filled containers into one path, and controlmeans actuated by the operator for diverting preselected containersassociated with particular weighing units from said one path into asecond path to be check weighed to determine the accuracy of saidparticular weighing units, said control means also having provision foreffecting diversion of selected groups of containers from various ofselected weighing units in different combinations.

2. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units, means for supporting successivecontainers in alignment with their respective weighing units to receivethe loads formed thereby, a discharge conveyor, means for transferringsuccessive filled containers from the supporting means onto saiddischarge conveyor, a second conveyor, `and control means cooperatingwith said transfer means and actuated by the operator for divertingselected containers in various combinations associated vwith differentweighing units onto said second conveyor for testing purposes todetermine the accuracy of said weighing units.

3. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units moved in a rotary path, means forsupporting successive con-tainers in alignment with their respectiveweighing units to receive the loads formed thereby, a dischargeconveyor, means for transferring successive filled containers from thecontainer supporting means onto said discharge conveyor, a secondconveyor, and control means cooperating with said transfer means andactuated by the operator for diverting individual containers and also aselected group of containers associated with successive weighing unitsonto said second conveyor.

4. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, meansfor supporting successive containers in alignment with their respectiveweighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, a dischargeconveyor, means for transferring the filled containers from theirsupporting means and releasing the same onto said discharge conveyor, asecond conveyor, normally inoperative means cooperating with saidtransfer means arranged to prevent release of a container onto saiddischarge conveyor and to divert and release the same onto 9 said secondconveyor, and control means actuated by the operator for renderingoperative said cooperating means to effect diversion and release ontosaid second conveyor of a selected container associated with aparticular weighing unit, said control means also having provision foreffecting diversion of selected groups of containers from various ofselected weighing units in different combinations.

5. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, av

by the operator for rendering operative said cooperatingA means toeffect diversion and release onto said second conveyor of a selectedcontainer associated with a particular weighing unit, said control meansalso having provision actuated by the operator for effecting diversionand release of a selected group of containers sequentially one from eachweighing unit onto said second conveyor during one revolution of themachine.

6. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, meansfor supporting successive containers in alignment with their respectiveweighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, a dischargeconveyor, means for transferring the filled containers from theirsupporting means and releasing the same onto said discharge conveyor, asecond conveyor, normally inoperative means cooperating with saidtransfer means arranged to prevent release of a container onto'saiddischarge conveyor and to divert and release the same onto said secondconveyor, and control means actuated by the operator for renderingoperative said cooperating means to effect diversion and release ontosaid second conveyor of a selected container associated with aparticular weighing unit, said control means also having provisionactuated by the operator for effecting diversion and release of aselected group of containers sequentially one from each Weighing unitonto said second conveyor during one revolution of the machine, andmeans for discontinuing sequential diversion and release after the lastcontainer of the group has been diverted.

7. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, meansfor supporting successive containers in alignment with their respectiveweighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, adischargeconveyor, means for transferring the filled containers from theirsupporting means and releasing the same onto said discharge conveyor, asecond conveyor, normally inoperative means cooperating with saidtransfer means arranged to prevent release of a container onto saiddischarge conveyor and to divert and release the same onto said secondconveyor, and control means actuated by the operator for renderingoperative said cooperating means to effect diversion and release ontosaid second conveyor of a selected container associated with aparticular weighing unit, said control means also having provisionactuated by the operator for effecting diversion and release of aselected group of containers sequentially lone from each weighing unitonto said second conveyor during one revolution of the machine, andsignal means to apprise the operator when the lastcontainer of the grouphas been diverted onto said second conveyor.

8. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, meansfor supporting successive con- 10 tainers in alignment with theirrespective weighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, adischarge conveyor, means for transferring the filled containers fromtheir supporting means and releasing the same onto said dischargeconveyor, a second conveyor, normally inoperative means cooperating withsaid ltransfer means arranged to prevent release of a container ontosaid discharge conveyor and to divert and release the same onto saidsecond conveyor, and control means actuated by the operator forrendering operative said cooperating means to effect diversion andrelease onto said second conveyor of a selected container associatedwith a particular weighing unit, said control means also havingprovision actuated by the operator for effecting diversion and releaseof a selected group of containers sequentially one from each weighingunit onto said second conveyor during one revolution of the machine,means adapted -to be actuated by an abnormally operating weighing unitfor automatically effecting diversion of the container filled by saidabnormal weighing unit, and signal means actuated by simultaneousoperation of said automatic means and said operator actuated means forapprising the operator that at least one abnormally filled container hasbeen diverted.

9. In a rotary weighing plurality of continuously moving weighing unitstraveling in a circular path, means for supporting successive containersin alignment with their respective weighing units to receive the weighedloads therefrom, a discharge conveyor, means for transferring the filledcontainers from their supporting means and releasing the same onto saiddischarge conveyor, a second conveyor, normally inoperative meanscooperating with said transfer means arranged to prevent release of acontainer onto said discharge conveyor and to divert and release thesame onto said second conveyor, and control means actuated by theoperator for rendering operative said cooperating means to effectdiversion and release onto said second conveyor of a selected containerassociated with a particular weighing unit, said control means alsohaving provision for effecting diversion of selected groups ofcontainers from various of selected weighing units in different com-`binations, said control means including an electrical circuit having asolenoid arranged to be energized upon closing of the circuit by theoperator to render operative said diverting and releasing means.

10. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, meansfor supporting successive containers in alignment with their respectiveweighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, a dischargeconveyor, means for transferring the filled containers from theirsupporting means onto said discharge conveyor, a second conveyor,normally inoperative means cooperating with said transfer means arrangedto prevent release of a container onto said discharge conveyor and todivert and release the same onto said second conveyor, and control meansactuated by the operator for rendering operative said cooperating meansto effect diversion and release onto said second conveyor of a selectedcontainer associated with a particular weighing unit, said control meansincluding an electrical circuit having a solenoid arranged to beenergized upon closing of the circuit by the operator to renderoperative said diverting and releasing means, and a timing switch insaid solenoid circuit arranged to be closed in timed relation to thetransfer for successive containers to control the timing of saiddiverting operation.

11. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, meansfor supporting successive containers in alignment with .their respectiveweighing units to receive the weighed loads therefrom, a dischargeconveyor, means for transferring the filled containers from theirsupporting means and releasing the same onto said discharge conveyor, asecond conveyor, normally inopermachine, in combination, a

lll

ative means cooperating with said .transfer means arranged to preventrelease of a container onto said discharge conveyor and to divert andrelease the same onto said second conveyor, and control means actuatedby the operator for rendering operative said cooperating means to effectdiversion and release onto said second conveyor of a selected containerassociated with a particular weighing unit, said control means includingan electrical circuit having a solenoid arranged to be energized uponclosing of the circuit by the operator to render operative saiddiverting and releasing means, said control means further including adistributor having a plurality of switches corresponding to the numberof weighing units, each switch being associated with a particularweighing unit, a switch closing cam driven in timed relation to themovement of said weighing units for closing said switches sequentially,and a plurality of manually operated switches in said circuit; oneassociated with each weighing unit and its respective distributor switchwhereby closing of a selected manually operated switch and subsequentclosing of the associated distributor switch will close the circuit toenergize said solenoid to effect diversion of a selected container.

12. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, meansfor supporting successive containers in alignment with their respectiveweighing units to receive the weighed loads formed thereby, a dischargeconveyor, a rotary transfer disk having spaced pockets for transferringsuccessive filled containers from said circular path onto said conveyor,a second conveyor, a normally latched clamping member cooperating witheach of said transfer disk pockets, and control means actuated by theoperator for unlatching a clamping member to clamp in its associatedpocket a selected container which received its load from a particularweighing unit 'whereby to prevent discharge of the selected containeronto said discharge conveyor and to divert and release the containeronto said second conveyor.

13. A rotary weighing machine as defined in claim 12 wherein the controlmeans includes an electrical circuit having a solenoid arranged tounlatch a clamping member for a selected container upon closing of thecircuit by the operator.

14. A rotary weighing machine as defined in claim 13 wherein the circuitto the solenoid includes a timing switch arranged to be closed in timedrelation to the transfer of successive containers to effect clamping ofthe selected container during such transfer.

d5. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, meansfor supporting successive containers in alignment with their respectiveweighing units to receive the weighed loads formed thereby, a dischargeconveyor, a rotary transfer disk having spaced pockets for transferringsuccessive filled containers from said circular path onto said conveyor,a second conveyor, a normally latched clamping member cooperating witheach of said transfer disk pockets, control means actuated by theoperator for unlatching a clamping member to clamp in its associatedpocket a selected container which received its load from a particularweighing unit whereby to prevent discharge of the selected containeronto said discharge conveyer and to divert the container onto saidsecond conveyor, and means for unclamping and relatching said member torelease the selected container onto said second conveyor for testingpurposes.

16. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, meansfor supporting successive containers in alignment with their respectiveweighing units to receive the weighed loads formed thereby, a dischargeconveyor, a rotary transfer disk having spaced pockets for transferringsuccessive filled containers from said circular path onto said conveyor,a second conveyor, a

normally latched clamping member cooperating with each of said transferdisk pockets, and control means actuated by the operator for unlatchinga clamping member to clamp in its associated pocket a selected containerwhich received its load from a particular weighing unit whereby toprevent discharge of the selected container onto said discharge conveyorand to divert the container onto said second conveyor, said controlmeans including an elec- -trical circuit having a solenoid arranged tounlatch a clamping member for a selected container upon closing of thecircuit by the operator, a distributor in said circuit having aplurality of switches corresponding to the number of weighing units,each switch being associated with a particular weighing unit, a s'witchclosing cam driven in timed relation to the movement of said weighingunits for closing said switches sequentially, and a plurality ofmanually operated switches in said circuits, one associated with eachweighing unit and its respective distributor switch whereby closing of aselected manually operated switch and subsequent closing of theassociated distributor switch will close the circuit to energize saidsolenoid to clamp a selected container to be diverted.

17. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, meansfor supporting successive containers in alignment with their respectiveweighing units to receive the weighed loads formed thereby, a dischargeconveyor, a rotary transfer disk having spaced pockets for transferringsuccessive filled containers from said circular path onto said conveyor,a second conveyor, a normally latched clamping member cooperating witheach of said transfer disk pockets, and control means actuated by theoperator for unlatching a clamping member to clamp in its associatedpocket a selected container which received its load from a particularweighing unit whereby to prevent discharge of the selected containeronto said discharge conveyor and to divert the container onto saidsecond conveyor, said control means including an electrical circuithaving a solenoid arranged to unlatch a clamping member for a selectedcontainer upon closing of the circuit by the operator, a distributor insaid circuit having a plurality of switches corresponding to the numberof weighing units, each switch being associated with a particularweighing unit, a switch closing cam driven in timed relation to theAmovement of said weighing units for closing said switches sequentially,and a plurality of manually operated switches in said circuit, oneassociated with each weighing unit and each distributor switch wherebyclosing of a selected manually operated switch and subsequent closing ofthe associated distributor switch will close the circuit to energizesaid solenoid to clamp a selected container to be diverted, and a timingswitch in said solenoid circuit arranged -to be closed in timed relationto the discharge of successive containers to effect clamping of aselected container during its transfer.

18. In a rotary weighing machine, in combination, a plurality ofcontinuously moving weighing units traveling in a circular path, meansfor suporting successive containers in alignment with their respectiveweighing units to receive the loads formed thereby, a dischargeconveyor, a rotary transfer disk having spaced pockets for transferringsuccessive filled containers from said circular path onto said conveyer,a second conveyer, a normally latched clamping member cooperating witheach of said transfer disk pockets, and control means actuated by theoperator for unlatching a clamping member to clamp in its associatedpocket a selected container which received its load from a particularweighing unit whereby to prevent discharge of the selected containeronto said discharge conveyer and to divert the container onto saidsec-ond conveyor, said control means including an electrical circuithaving a solenoid arranged when energized to effect unclamping of saidclamping member, a distributor in said circuit having a plurality ofswitches corresponding to the number of weighing units, each switchbeing associated with a particular weighing unit, a switch closing camdriven in timed relation to said weighing units for closing saidswitches sequentially, a plurality of manually operated push buttonswitches in said circuit, one associated with each weighing unit and itsrespective distributor switch whereby closing of a selected push buttonswitch and subsequent closing of the associated distributor switch willclose the circuit to energize said solenoid to clamp a selectedcontainer to be diverted, said solenoid circuit being further providedwith a fault switch adapted to be automatically closed in the event thata weighing unit performs a faulty Weighing operation, closing of saidfault switch effecting diversion of the container which received itsload from a faulty Weighing unit, and a signal actuated by simultaneousclosing of said fault switch and a push button switch to apprise theoperator of such faulty condition.

19. A rotary weighing machine as defined in claim 17 wherein theelectrical circuit further includes a manually References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,950,302 3/1934 Hansen 73-421 X 1,958,173 5/1934 Rennie.2,068,344 1/1937 McManus 73-421 X 2,601,785 7/1952 Pottle 73-4212,868,375 1/1959 Howard 177-55 X RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.G. H. MILLER, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A WEIGHING MACHINE, IN COMBINATION, A PLURALITY OF CONTINUOUSLYMOVING WEIGHING UNITS ARRANGED TO DEPOSIT THEIR WEIGHED LOADS INTOSUCCESSIVE CONTAINERS MOVED ALONG THEREWITH, CONTAINER DISCHARGE MEANSFOR GUIDING SUCCESSIVE FILLED CONTAINERS INTO ONE PATH, AND CONTROLMEANS ACTUATED BY THE OPERATOR FOR DIVERTING PRESELECTED CONTAINERSASSOCIATED WITH PARTICULAR WEIGHING UNITS FROM SAID ONE PATH INTO ASECOND PATH TO BE CHECK WEIGHED TO DETERMINE THE ACCURACY OF SAIDPARTICULAR WEIGHING UNITS, SAID CONTROL MEANS ALSO HAVING PROVISION FOREFFECTING DIVERSION OF SELECTED GROUPS OF CONTAINERS FROM VARIOUS OFSELECTED WEIGHING UNITS IN DIFFERENT COMBINATIONS.